Stronger penalties are now in place for anyone who harms wildlife native to Hawaii under a new law, just weeks after a hawk was discovered maimed on Hawaii island and had to be euthanized. Read more
About 25 new classrooms are scheduled to open statewide for the upcoming 2025-26 school year, with the other 25 opening by August 2026. Read more
Vassilis Syrmos has been appointed interim provost of University of Hawaii’s flagship Manoa campus, starting July 1, while UH leadership conducts a national search for a permanent provost. Read more
Hawaii’s hurricane outlook calls for a below-normal season, but ongoing cuts to the federal government have U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda concerned about the state’s ability to both predict the weather and respond if a hurricane hits the islands. Read more
Some 72 newly certified Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants gathered Thursday to receive their “wings,” marking the third graduating class this year as the company ramps up hiring following its September sale to Alaska Airlines Group Inc. Read more
Child entertainers’ financial futures are now protected by Hawaii law, joining other U.S. states in efforts to support young stars at the start of their careers. Read more
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The next generation of city lifeguards hit the surf this week, as the Junior Lifeguards Program kicked off just in time for summer. Read more
Gov. Josh Green has declared June as Pride Month and on Monday, for the first time, flew a Pride flag over the state Capitol, where it will remain for the entire month. Read more
House Bill 1293 seeks to exempt state Department of Education purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products of less than $250,000 from the electronic procurement system requirement. Read more
The Trump administration’s attacks on DEI policies and programs didn’t stop the state Legislature from designating September as Hawaiian History Month and naming the first Friday in May as Laulau Day. Read more
Hopes for another way out of the Leeward Coast took on added urgency after traffic gridlock turned into a fire trap during the August 2023 wildfires in Lahaina that killed 102 people. Read more
Mental health services for children and youth would get a much-needed boost under a bill that awaits action by Gov. Josh Green. Read more
Families of victims like Andrew Nakoa Jr. — who died of a stab wound 21 years ago blocks from his home — now will be able to get a copy of the closing report from Hawaii law enforcement under a new law designed to answer lingering questions that haunt them. Read more
Gov. Josh Green has signed into law two bills regulating guns in the islands and is considering two others as the state Legislature this year moved to strengthen Hawaii’s already strict firearm laws. Read more
Senate Bill 30 also would raise the legal age to drive a moped, from 15 to 16. Read more
House Bill 667 would require the state Department of Transportation to scan any animal found dead for a microchip, identify the owner and report the information to animal services before treating it as a stray. Read more
Minors would be required to wear helmets when riding skateboards on public property under two bills that continue to move through the Legislature. Read more
House Bill 1345 was amended to specify a five-year, full-time commitment for local students who graduate and then teach at a DOE school. Read more
House Bill 874 would require parents and guardians of minors who work in Hawaii’s entertainment industry to create trust funds in their name, to be managed by a third party, until the child turns 18. Read more
Key Hawaii Republicans offered differing viewsw of President Donald Trump three months into his second term, with some continuing their full support while others are hearing from constituents who regret voting for him. Read more
A state Hawaii Public Housing Authority official said the move had nothing to do with residents’ concerns about how their relocation was being handled. Read more
